Dogs take over Saluda

Town hosted 50th Annual Coon Dog Day Saturday

Published: Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 3:53 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 3:53 p.m.

SALUDA -- For the first time in 50 years, Hop Foster didn't announce the grand marshal for the Coon Dog Day parade in Saluda.

That's because he was in the lead car on Saturday. Local radio deejay James Metcalf's voice rang out over the crowd announcing that Foster was the grand marshal for this year's parade.

It was an emotional moment.

“I kind of broke down this time,” Foster said. “It really was special to be asked to do that.”

Coon Dog Day celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, and Foster has been synonymous with the festival. He's generally down helping the parade entries lineup. He was helping get the parade started this year, but instead of darting up the street in his golf cart to the stage as he usually does, Foster stayed down by the tennis courts and led the way.

And as he stepped off the stage on Saturday afternoon, Foster was greeted by fans. One woman took a photo with her cellphone. One family just waited patiently to talk to him and tell him how much they've enjoyed his parade humor through the years.

The parade was filled with people celebrating the 50th anniversary of the festival. Many of the entrants had themed floats celebrating the milestone.

The parade was just one event that thousands poured into the small town of Saluda to enjoy. There was the Coon Dog Day 5k in the morning. There were dog shows and treeing competitions. There were vendors with a variety of foods. Festival goers walked in and out of the shops in downtown Saluda.

“This place is just heaven,” Patti Brannock said. “It's wonderful.”

Brannock, a Columbia, S.C. resident, has been coming to Saluda for the past decade. This year she brought her friend, Julia Sermon, from Ware Shoals, S.C.

It rained off and on all morning, but that didn't affect the duo at all.

<p>SALUDA -- For the first time in 50 years, Hop Foster didn't announce the grand marshal for the Coon Dog Day parade in Saluda. </p><p>That's because he was in the lead car on Saturday. Local radio deejay James Metcalf's voice rang out over the crowd announcing that Foster was the grand marshal for this year's parade. </p><p>It was an emotional moment. </p><p>“I kind of broke down this time,” Foster said. “It really was special to be asked to do that.”</p><p>Coon Dog Day celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, and Foster has been synonymous with the festival. He's generally down helping the parade entries lineup. He was helping get the parade started this year, but instead of darting up the street in his golf cart to the stage as he usually does, Foster stayed down by the tennis courts and led the way. </p><p>And as he stepped off the stage on Saturday afternoon, Foster was greeted by fans. One woman took a photo with her cellphone. One family just waited patiently to talk to him and tell him how much they've enjoyed his parade humor through the years.</p><p>The parade was filled with people celebrating the 50th anniversary of the festival. Many of the entrants had themed floats celebrating the milestone.</p><p>The parade was just one event that thousands poured into the small town of Saluda to enjoy. There was the Coon Dog Day 5k in the morning. There were dog shows and treeing competitions. There were vendors with a variety of foods. Festival goers walked in and out of the shops in downtown Saluda. </p><p>“This place is just heaven,” Patti Brannock said. “It's wonderful.”</p><p>Brannock, a Columbia, S.C. resident, has been coming to Saluda for the past decade. This year she brought her friend, Julia Sermon, from Ware Shoals, S.C. </p><p>It rained off and on all morning, but that didn't affect the duo at all.</p><p>“The coon dogs get out when it's raining,” Sermon said. “We can, too.”</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>